Wow, can't add much to what you have heard elsewhere about the Friday "Land Hurricane" other than our power was restored on Sunday afternoon. I was surprised anyone showed up Saturday morning but a few did come out, Brad the Dentist, Denver Dan, Mark C, Andrew C, Retro George, Kenda Dave, Ron and Cindy. Plenty of puzzled, "why am I here" facial expressions.

Radar watching was the focus as it appeared more storms were on their way. Here, Dave provides the background so that Kenda gets another plug.

Tim F, Evie, Beth, Eve and Dave M and David S rode into the parking lot after being thwarted by downed trees and foreboding looking radar. They had ridden 6 miles and packed their bikes into their cars just as the parking lot was swept with wind and rain but it just as quickly stopped.

A senior moment for Flyin Tuna. Searching frantically for her keys before discovering they were still in the ignition. Well, judging by Andrews comments, which set a record for exaggeration piled on hyperbole, three hung around and went out for a partial Blue Jay ride. I returned home to fire up the chainsaw and began clearing trees and limbs.

Showed up Sunday to do the BJ ride and there too was Brian, you know, the guy with the Stay-Puft marshmallow man on his calf. OK, it's not really the Stay-Puft dude but it makes for a better story. We headed out Blue Jay and ignoring a "Road Closed" sign, rounded a corner and saw the above on the 2nd big climb of the route. The trees in the foreground were not a problem but those in the background were huge oak and maple trees producing a thicket of branches. It took a few minutes but we were able to forge a path through the branches and wires and kept going. From that point on, while the landscape was filled in down trees, none hindered our riding, which was also filled with the constant hummm of generators. We made it to Zanesville where the market was open. I doubted we would find anything open on the return or that the well at Flint Ridge would be running so after we climbed Kopchak and reached Morgan, the turn south, I elected to forego the southern swing and headed to 40 and then north on Poplar Forks. We passed Blue Jay and took Staddens Bridge Road which also had a "Road Closed" sign. We were forced to climb around some trees but eventually made it back to the "Y" with 60 miles and 4200' of climbing. I actually felt kind of guilty, riding my bike around while hundreds of people were outside working.

Shame on you naysayers, you gloom and doomers, you End of the Blue Jay World Ride fearmongers who didn't show up or did show up and left the fearless ride leader SuperGirl Cindy Longo for home (renamed because she rides like Jeannie Longo of the past). She arrived early with maps and signup sheet to send off the early birds. They came back after a brief start, telling the rest it was no good and to give up all hope. When the dust settled and the two fast waves of rain blew through, there was just Mark C, Cindy, and I left. What happened to the passion for bicycling, come hail or high water? I shake my head in disbelief! Cindy decided not to abandon Mark C and I and become our personal Blue Jay tour guide. We could not have been in better hands! She first manuevered us around the blocked part of Blue Jay to get out of the dead town of Newark. Not long after that we ran into the closed road part of Blue Jay. That did stop our veteran ride leader, who knew most of the roads around the area and took us south on Cotterman and then east on Flint Ridge. This is where her cape came loose and she started flying up and down the hills like SuperGirl (or the more down to Earth Jeannie Longo). Mark C muttered something about how tired his legs felt as he and I tried to keep up with her. A stop at the Flint Ridge park brought back traumatic memories of the super windy 600km Brevet just 4 weeks earlier. With bottles topped off, we pressed on and headed north on the pink route and stopped at an operating gas station in Toboso area. Cars were lined up trying to get gas. All Mark C needed, was a double-tall Mt Dew and Kettle Chips to bring a smile to his face. Once again, Cindy came through for us! She decided to take us on some of the yellow route so that we could manage the mileage as conditions developed. Somehow she got us to Briarcliff Rd and we climbed more north and eventually reached Perryton, where we headed out on Pinewood Trail. A brief stop at 586 got Cindy re-oriented and we pressed on further where a cloudburst hit us. Mark C ordered us under the protection of trees along the road and we stayed nearly dry for the 3-4 minutes of downpour and then took off again on the wet roads. A right turn onto Reform had us climbing again until we reached SR 79. Once again the cape came out and SuperGirl pulled us along at high speed to Hickman. She must have inspired Mark C because he took over and pulled us to Hanover. For most of our ride, the temps had been coolish, but by now, it was starting to warm up, though still comfortable. Our awesome ride leader once again improvised and took us back to Newark through the back way so that we could avoid the closed part of Blue Jay. Claylick Road to Staddens Bridge to Sleepy Hollow to Watson Rd and back to the start. 60.6 miles with average of 16.2 mph and 3800 feet of climbing and we didn't suffer from the heat. What a great ride! Thank you so much Cindy for your preparation, your intestional fortitude for not quitting on us, and your flexibility to help us through life's little challenges! Our passion for bicycling continues because of you!!!!

Reply

MMW

6/30/2012 09:09:08 am

That's quite an Homage to Cindy! And every bit deserved! Never again will I think of her as an average rider with limited ride leader skills. Something for me to aspire to in the future as I hope to find my passion for bicycling again!

Reply

Integrity

7/1/2012 11:57:34 pm

Are you guys suffering from breathing gas fumes? I will always think of her as having limited ride leader skills and first grade level map making skills.

Corvair

7/2/2012 12:59:30 am

It was very nice up at the lake when we finally got there..but the ride up was very hot. Arrived around 4:15pm and saw the radar later...The Rossi's daughter's boyfriend was driving from IN and said his car was "picked up and moved" to the other lane. He stopped under an overpass shortly after that and said he saw corn being ripped up and the sky a green color. Then he witnessed a semi toppling over. I hope all of you have power, mine came on last night late. See you all at the Tuesday night ride :)

Reply

CIndy

7/2/2012 02:02:20 am

How, even I don't recongnize the women in Andrew's report! Must be this blog, errie how things get exaggerated. We did have a nice ride and certainly glad that Andrew shamed/drug/peer pressured me into going.